EP1459463A1 - Antennenschaltungs auf der basis einer präambel-mse-metrik - Google Patents

Antennenschaltungs auf der basis einer präambel-mse-metrik

Info

Publication number
EP1459463A1
EP1459463A1 EP02785821A EP02785821A EP1459463A1 EP 1459463 A1 EP1459463 A1 EP 1459463A1 EP 02785821 A EP02785821 A EP 02785821A EP 02785821 A EP02785821 A EP 02785821A EP 1459463 A1 EP1459463 A1 EP 1459463A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
preamble
mse
preamble sequence
incoming signals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02785821A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1459463B1 (de
Inventor
Joseph Meehan
Sunghyun Choi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Publication of EP1459463A1 publication Critical patent/EP1459463A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1459463B1 publication Critical patent/EP1459463B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
    • H04B7/0802—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection
    • H04B7/0805—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection with single receiver and antenna switching
    • H04B7/0808—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection with single receiver and antenna switching comparing all antennas before reception
    • H04B7/0811—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using antenna selection with single receiver and antenna switching comparing all antennas before reception during preamble or gap period
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/06—Receivers
    • H04B1/16—Circuits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a method and system for improving the signal reception of a digital wireless receiver.
  • a plurality of antennas is used to maximize the desired received signal power to improve system performance.
  • multiple tuners are required in the receiver so that the signals can be combined.
  • a form of antenna switching is implemented.
  • stations use two antennas for signal processing, such that one of the antennas with a greater signal power is selected for reception and processing.
  • the signal strength detected by the antennas is used as the basis for antenna switching.
  • this type of antenna switching scheme does not take into account the inter-symbol interference. Therefore, there exists a need to provide an improved antenna switching method to suppress interference and enhance the signal reception of a wireless receiver.
  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the signal reception of a digital wireless receiver.
  • the method for enhancing the signal reception of a digital wireless receiver includes the steps of: extracting preamble information from a plurality of incoming signals; processing a first predetermined portion of the preamble information with a first antenna to produce a first preamble sequence; processing a second predetermined portion of the preamble information with a second antenna to produce a second preamble sequence; calculating a mean-square error (MSE) for the first preamble sequence received from the first antenna and the second preamble sequence received from the second antenna; comparing the first preamble sequence and the second preamble sequence with a predefined preamble sequence, which is known a priori; and, selecting one of the first antenna and the second antenna having a lower MSE for subsequent reception of the incoming signals.
  • MSE mean-square error
  • the processing steps further comprise the step of demodulating the first predetermined portion of the preamble information received by the first antenna to obtain the first preamble sequence, and demodulating the second predetermined portion of the preamble information received by the second antenna to obtain the second preamble sequence.
  • the method for enhancing the signal reception of a digital wireless receiver includes the steps of: receiving a plurality of incoming signals; dividing the header information of the incoming signals to process the divided header information by a first antenna and a second antenna; comparing the processed header information from the first antenna and the second antenna with a predefined preamble sequence to obtain a mean square error (MSE); and, selecting one of the first antenna and the second antenna having a lower MSE for subsequent reception of the incoming signals.
  • the step of dividing the header information of the incoming signals further comprises the step of demodulating the header information of the incoming signals received from the first antenna and the second antenna to obtain the processed header information.
  • the apparatus for enhancing the signal reception of a digital wireless receiver includes: a processing circuit for processing the preamble information of incoming signals, wherein a first predetermined portion of the preamble information is applied to a first antenna and a second predetermined portion of the preamble information is applied to a second antenna to produce a plurality of processed signals, and the plurality of processed signals is compared to a predefined preamble sequence to obtain a mean-square error (MSE) for the respective antenna; and, a selecting circuit for selecting one of the first antenna and the second antenna having a lower MSE for subsequent reception of the incoming signals.
  • the apparatus further includes a means for demodulating the preamble information of the incoming signals received from the first antenna and the second antenna to obtain the plurality of processed signals.
  • the selection of an antenna can be performed based on a time- varying MSE convergence rate plotted in a x-y graph, wherein one of the antennas with a faster convergence rate is selected for subsequent reception of incoming signals. Also, if the MSE for the preamble sequence received from one of the antenna is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the antenna having lower MSE than the predetermined threshold value is selected for receiving and processing incoming signals thereafter.
  • the apparatus for enhancing the signal reception of incoming signals of a digital wireless receiver includes: a first antenna for receiving the incoming signals; a second antenna for receiving the incoming signals; a processing circuit for processing the preamble information of the incoming signals, wherein a first predetermined portion of the preamble information is applied to the first antenna and a second predetermined portion of the preamble information is applied to the second antenna to produce a plurality of processed signals, and the plurality of processed signals are compared to a predefined preamble sequence to generate a mean-square error (MSE) for the respective antenna; and, a selecting circuit for selecting one of the first antenna and the second antenna having a lower MSE for subsequent reception of the incoming signals.
  • the apparatus further includes a means for demodulating the preamble information of the incoming signals received from the first antenna and the second antenna to obtain the plurality of processed signals.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the communication system whereto the embodiment of the present invention may be applied;
  • Fig. 2 illustrates the major components of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) illustrate frame structures according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) illustrate a graphical representation of good and bad channels, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation steps in accordance with the present invention.
  • specific details are set forth such as the particular architecture, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
  • the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments, which depart from these specific details.
  • detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
  • WLAN wireless local area network
  • GSM North American Mobile Radio Standard
  • DECT Digital European Cordless Telecommunications
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a representative network whereto the embodiments of the present invention may be applied.
  • an access point (AP) 2 is coupled to a plurality of mobile stations (MS) 4, which through a wireless link are communicating with each other and to the AP 2 via a plurality of wireless channels.
  • the stations 4 and the AP 2, which are within the same radio coverage, are known as a basic service set (BSS).
  • BSS basic service set
  • the main functions of the AP are to support roaming (i.e., changing access points), synchronize within a BSS, support power management, and control the medium access to support time-bounded service within a BSS.
  • Fig. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the processor circuit 10 implemented in the respective mobile station 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the mobile station 4 includes: a first antenna 12 and a second antenna 14 configured to transmit and receive data signals over a communications channel; a demodulator 16 for demodulating incoming signals into digital signals; an equalizer 18 for processing the signals received via the antennas 12 and 14; a memory 20, and a comparator 22.
  • a control processor (not shown) is provided in the mobile station 4 to process the signals that are intended for transmission via the antennas 12 and 14.
  • the mobile station 4 receives via the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 14 a plurality of incoming data signals which contains preamble header information.
  • the first antenna 12 is configured to receive the beginning portion of the preamble header information
  • the second antenna 14 is configured to receive the remaining portion of the preamble header information.
  • the received signals from the respective antennas are demodulated by the demodulator 16 into the corresponding digital signals.
  • the demodulated signals are then forwarded to the equalizer 18 for filtering purposes, after which they are forwarded to the comparator 22.
  • the memory 20 stores a known reference preamble sequence, which is retrieved for comparison with the actual preamble sequence received and filtered by the demodulator 16 and the equalizer 18, respectively. Thereafter, a comparison between the actual preamble sequence from the respective antenna and the reference preamble sequence is performed to determine an error in each symbol sequence. Based on the outcome of the error, one of the antennas 12 and 14 is selected for receiving and processing the remaining incoming signals.
  • Fig. 3(a) shows a preamble frame having a duration of 16 ⁇ s (or 224 symbols) as set forth under the 802.1 la standard.
  • This preamble consists of 10 short Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols and 2 long OFDM symbols.
  • OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
  • Each short OFDM symbol (0.8 ⁇ s) consists of 12 constellation symbols
  • each long OFDM symbol (3.2 ⁇ s) consists of 52 constellation symbols.
  • the first antenna 12 Upon receiving the preamble information, the first antenna 12 calculates the mean-squared error (MSE) of the first 84 symbols (7 short OFDM symbols) of the preamble by comparing the actual preamble sequence received therein with the reference preamble sequence stored in the memory 20. The input is then switched to the second antenna 14, which calculates the MSE of the next 88 symbols (3 short OFDM symbols and 1 long OFDM symbol) of the preamble. The remaining 52 symbols (1 long OFDM symbol) are reserved in case the antenna must be switched back again. After obtaining the output MSE for each antenna, the antenna with the lower MSE is selected for receiving and processing the rest of incoming data packets.
  • MSE mean-squared error
  • Fig. 3(b) shows a preamble frame having a duration of 144 ⁇ s (or 144 symbols at a rate of 1 MHz) as set forth under the 802.1 lb standard.
  • the first antenna 12 calculates the MSE for the first 60 symbols, and the second antenna 14 calculates the MSE for the next 60 symbols. The remaining 24 symbols are reserved in case the antenna must be switched back again.
  • one of the antennas 12 and 14 with the lowest MSE is selected to receive and process the rest of the incoming data packets.
  • Fig. 4(a) represents the MSE plot indicative of a good channel.
  • the y-axis represents the Mean Squared Error, whereas the x-axis represents the step size at each iteration.
  • Fig. 4(b) represents the MSE plot indicative of a poor channel as the rate of convergence is slower (smaller slope), thus the minimum MSE tends to be higher. Accordingly, by examining the convergence rate, a relative measure of which antenna should be selected to obtain the optimal channel quality can be achieved.
  • Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation steps of antenna switching process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the chosen embodiment of the present invention is a computer software executed within a computer system.
  • the flow chart does not depict the syntax of any particular programming language. Rather, the flow chart illustrates the functional information that one of ordinary skill in the art requires for fabricating circuits or to generate a computer software to perform the processing required of the particular apparatus.
  • the processing and decision blocks represent steps performed by functionally equivalent circuits such as a digital signal processor circuit or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
  • the antennas 12 and 14 receive incoming signals and in particularly the preamble information.
  • the beginning portion of the preamble information is received by the first antenna 12 and the remaining portion of the header preamble information is received by the second antenna 14 in step 110.
  • the received signals from the respective antenna are processed by the demodulator 16 and the equalizer 18 to produce a processed preamble sequence.
  • the MSE for the respective antenna is calculated, in step 120 by comparing a predetermined preamble sequence with the actual preamble sequence recovered by the respective antenna.
  • the calculated MSE from the respective antennas are compared with each other. If the MSE from the first antenna 12 is less than the MSE from the second antenna, the first antenna 12 is selected to receive and process the rest of the incoming signals in step 140. Otherwise, the second antenna 14 is selected to process the rest of the incoming signals in step 150.
  • the antenna switching may be performed based on the rate of the convergence slope with a higher convergence rate, as described with reference to Figs. 4(a) and 4(b).
  • the present invention has an advantage in that the inventive scheme provides better criteria for switching the antenna than utilizing a simple signal strength parameter as in the prior art system. In the present invention, it would only require one tuner (front end), thus making the present system more economical than a full antenna diversity system. While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Radio Transmission System (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
EP02785821A 2001-12-21 2002-12-03 Verfahren und vorrichtung zur antennenschaltung auf der basis einer präambel-mse-metrik Expired - Lifetime EP1459463B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US28385 1998-02-24
US10/028,385 US7274759B2 (en) 2001-12-21 2001-12-21 Antenna switching based on a preamble MSE metric
PCT/IB2002/005125 WO2003055101A1 (en) 2001-12-21 2002-12-03 Antenna switching based on a preamble mse metric

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1459463A1 true EP1459463A1 (de) 2004-09-22
EP1459463B1 EP1459463B1 (de) 2006-08-09

Family

ID=21843155

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02785821A Expired - Lifetime EP1459463B1 (de) 2001-12-21 2002-12-03 Verfahren und vorrichtung zur antennenschaltung auf der basis einer präambel-mse-metrik

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US7274759B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1459463B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2005513906A (de)
KR (1) KR20040070256A (de)
CN (1) CN1605166A (de)
AT (1) ATE336111T1 (de)
AU (1) AU2002351108A1 (de)
DE (1) DE60213863T2 (de)
WO (1) WO2003055101A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004032529A2 (en) * 2002-09-30 2004-04-15 Ipr Licensing, Inc. Directional antenna physical layer steering for wlan
US20040063403A1 (en) * 2002-09-30 2004-04-01 Durrant Randolph L. Methods for identification of IEEE 802.11b radio signals
JP2006503514A (ja) * 2002-11-30 2006-01-26 サムスン エレクトロニクス カンパニー リミテッド 直交周波数分割多重方式通信システムにおけるプリアンブルシーケンスを生成する装置及び方法
US7595768B2 (en) * 2003-06-27 2009-09-29 Intel Corporation Switching schemes for multiple antennas
US7359692B2 (en) * 2003-06-30 2008-04-15 Zarbana Digital Fund, Llc Method of and device for antennae diversity switching
US6922549B2 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-07-26 Cisco Technology, Inc. Error vector magnitude selection diversity metric for OFDM
ES2667012T3 (es) * 2004-05-04 2018-05-09 Sony Corporation Asignaciones de secuencia central para transmisiones MIMO
JP5219278B2 (ja) * 2009-01-26 2013-06-26 パナソニック株式会社 ダイバーシチ通信システム及びダイバーシチ受信装置
EP2604009A2 (de) * 2010-08-09 2013-06-19 Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC Systeme und verfahren zur bereitstellung einer mehrpfad-oberflächenreduzierung
US10707972B1 (en) * 2019-03-18 2020-07-07 Apple Inc. Compensating for channel distortion during contactless communication
US10666345B1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2020-05-26 Apple Inc. Packet detection using multiple antennas
CN114631271A (zh) * 2019-10-31 2022-06-14 汤姆逊许可公司 用于分集天线选择的设备和方法

Family Cites Families (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4499606A (en) * 1982-12-27 1985-02-12 Sri International Reception enhancement in mobile FM broadcast receivers and the like
US4742568A (en) * 1985-06-10 1988-05-03 Nec Corporation Receiver for antenna switching diversity systems
DE69020624T2 (de) * 1989-04-21 1995-12-21 Nippon Electric Co Signalwiedergabegerät für optische Aufzeichnungs- und Wiedergabeapparatur und Methode für dasselbe.
US5446922A (en) * 1992-12-21 1995-08-29 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for switched diversity reception of a radio signal
US5781592A (en) * 1993-09-28 1998-07-14 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Selective diversity system
SE9402493L (sv) 1994-07-15 1996-01-16 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Metod i en diversitetsmottagare
US5748676A (en) * 1995-05-01 1998-05-05 Norand Corporation Network utilizing modified preambles that support antenna diversity
US5742646A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-04-21 Harris Corporation Method of selecting and switching signal paths in a digital communication system
DE69733816T2 (de) * 1996-03-29 2006-04-06 Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg Vorrichtung und verfahren zur verwaltung des spektrums in einem mehrpunkt-kommunikationssystem
FI107485B (fi) * 1996-04-17 2001-08-15 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Diversiteettimenetelmä, radiovastaanotin ja radiojärjestelmä
JP3319688B2 (ja) * 1996-05-14 2002-09-03 松下通信工業株式会社 データ受信装置
US5960046A (en) * 1996-12-03 1999-09-28 Northern Telecom Limited Preamble based selection diversity in a time division multiple access radio system
US6009307A (en) * 1997-05-13 1999-12-28 Qualcomm Incorporated Multiple antenna detecting and selecting
US6069917A (en) * 1997-05-23 2000-05-30 Lucent Technologies Inc. Blind training of a decision feedback equalizer
US5952963A (en) * 1997-12-30 1999-09-14 Ericsson Inc. Advanced antenna diversity mechanism
DE69809596D1 (de) * 1997-12-30 2003-01-02 Ericsson Inc Vereinheitlichtes antennendiversityschaltungssystem für tdma-telefone
US6483884B1 (en) * 1997-12-30 2002-11-19 Ericsson Inc. Antenna diversity switching system for TDMA-based telephones
US6567482B1 (en) * 1999-03-05 2003-05-20 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Method and apparatus for efficient synchronization in spread spectrum communications
FR2826527B1 (fr) * 2001-06-25 2003-09-26 Thomson Licensing Sa Dispositif de reception equipe pour evaluer les performances des chemins par lesquels il recoit des signaux provenant d'une meme source et procede pour l'exploitation de ce dispositif
US7099380B1 (en) * 2001-11-16 2006-08-29 Marvell International Ltd. Apparatus for antenna diversity for wireless communication and method thereof
FR2833435B1 (fr) * 2001-12-06 2004-02-27 Thomson Licensing Sa Methode de selection de chemin de reception et dispositif de reception comprenant plusieurs chemins de reception

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03055101A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2005513906A (ja) 2005-05-12
US7274759B2 (en) 2007-09-25
DE60213863T2 (de) 2007-03-08
WO2003055101A1 (en) 2003-07-03
AU2002351108A1 (en) 2003-07-09
EP1459463B1 (de) 2006-08-09
US20030119468A1 (en) 2003-06-26
KR20040070256A (ko) 2004-08-06
CN1605166A (zh) 2005-04-06
ATE336111T1 (de) 2006-09-15
DE60213863D1 (de) 2006-09-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6907063B2 (en) Mobile station, a method of transmitting electronic information, and a communications system
US9288800B2 (en) Wireless communications system that supports multiple modes of operation
CN1655555B (zh) 无线局域网中多协议无线通信的方法、设备及系统
US6122293A (en) Method and system for link adaptation having a variable update interval
US8068550B2 (en) Initiation of a MIMO communication
US6694131B1 (en) Method and apparatus for adaptive image rejection
EP0975184A1 (de) Verfahren zur Mittelzuteilung und Zuteilungsschema dafür
JP2002539677A (ja) データ伝送装置およびデータ伝送方法
US7274759B2 (en) Antenna switching based on a preamble MSE metric
JP2006515726A (ja) Ｗｌａｎのための指向性アンテナをステアリングする方法
US7535971B2 (en) Method and apparatus for antenna diversity
RU2256291C2 (ru) Система и способ для облегчения демодуляции быстрого канала поискового вызова через автономное поисковое устройство в системе радиосвязи
US7221923B2 (en) Receiving apparatus
WO2002082711A1 (en) Radiocommunication employing selected synchronization technique
JP2000261405A (ja) ダイバーシティ送受信機
EP0741466A2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur adaptiven Antennenauswahl in einem mobilen Funkkommunikationssystem
EP1213885A2 (de) Suboptimale Folgeschätzung
JP4610248B2 (ja) ダイバーシチ方法およびそれを利用した受信装置
KR100615595B1 (ko) 기지국 수신부에서의 위상 등화기 동적 선택 장치 및 그방법
US20030108132A1 (en) Method and device for recovering an unknown frequency in digital cellular communications systems
JPH07183837A (ja) 等化復調器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20040721

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20050426

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RTI1 Title (correction)

Free format text: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANTENNA SWITCHING BASED ON A PREAMBLE MSE METRIC

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 746

Effective date: 20060822

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60213863

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060921

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061109

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061109

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061109

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061120

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061204

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20061218

Year of fee payment: 5

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070109

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070208

Year of fee payment: 5

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20070510

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061110

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20061227

Year of fee payment: 5

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061203

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20071203

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080701

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20081020

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060809

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20071203

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20071231